Entertainment

10 Emmy-Nominated Shows You Can Watch Online

10 Emmy-Nominated Shows You Can Watch Online

1. Girls (Outstanding Comedy Series)

Never before has Hollywood (or anyone, for that matter) been so inclined to talk about loathsome 24-year-old girls living in Brooklyn. But Lena Dunham's biting wit has turned things around with arguably the most buzzed-about show this season.

If you haven't seen it yet, watch the 10-episode first season of Girls on HBO GO to form your own opinion about this contentious show.

2. Mad Men (Outstanding Drama Series)

It's been a monumental year for Mad Men. The show returned from an extended hiatus to an overzealous audience dying for more Don Draper. The show delivered, with some of the most exciting and controversial story lines yet. This year's Emmy Awards will be a nail biter for showrunner Matt Werner and his crew — they've taken home the statue for four years straight, and with this fifth nod, they have the chance to set a record.

The first four seasons are available to watch instantly on Netflix. As for the lastest season, you'll have to shell out for an iTunes download (completely worth it). Mashable recommends you block out time for a serious marathon — Mad Men is ultimate television binge fare.

3. Modern Family (Outstanding Comedy Series)

The ultimate ensemble comedy, Modern Family has been the reigning comedy champ for two years running at the Primetime Emmys. The mockumentary racked up 14 nods this year, including six nominations for each of the show's adult actors. Move over 30 Rock — Modern Family has solidified its place as the academy favorite.

4. Veep (Outstanding Comedy Series)

Catch the entire first season of HBO's smart political comedy on HBO GO.

Veep hinges on the trials and tribulations of Vice President Selina Meyer, played by one of the queens of comedy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Not only is the show nominated in the comedy category for Outstanding Series, but also for Outstanding Casting and Outstanding Lead Actress (Dreyfus). With only eight episodes so far, this is an easy series to catch up on.

5. Breaking Bad (Outstanding Drama Series)

Check out the academy's favorite leading man in his fifth season as chemistry teacher-turned-meth dealer, Walter White. This iconic role has earned Bryan Cranston three Primetime Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. Will one of the other contenders snag the title this year?

7. Downton Abbey (Outstanding Drama Series)

With Hulu Plus, you can watch the entire first two seasons of the period piece that's giving Mad Men a run for its money.

In 2011, Downton Abbey won an Emmy for Outstanding Miniseries or Movie. It's now been nominated as a series, so it will be interesting to see how it stacks up with new competition.

8. Saturday Night Live (Outstanding Supporting Actor and Actress)

Two of SNL's most prolific knee-slappers, Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader, earned Emmy nods, making Hader the first male cast member to receive the accolade since Eddie Murphy.

While Hulu offers just five episodes available at any given time, viewers can search SNL's page for either of the two actors to find a smorgasbord of clips that show off their comedic chops.

9. Game of Thrones (Outstanding Drama Series)

In its first year on the air, HBO's medieval fantasy earned 13 nominations for Primetime Emmys, a staggering number for any television show but especially impressive for freshman fare. Game of Thrones only came away from last year's awards with two statues, but fans are hopeful that the show will gain more definitive praise at the 2012 awards.

10. New Girl (Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series)

Zooey Deschanel won over television audiences as the goofily charming Jess on Fox's New Girl. By midseason, though, the show gained serious traction for the hilarious stylings of supporting actor Max Greenfield, whose lovable Schmidt became a comedic sensation and the subject of many an ogling blog.

Hulu keeps a rotation of eight episodes, but if you require a marathon, opt for a free trial of Hulu Plus.

The 64th annual Primetime Emmy Awards are airing later in the year than usual, giving you ample time to catch up on nominated shows before the big night.

We figure that, like us, you've got some pretty well-established opinions about who should be taking home those coveted gold statuettes. While watching each of the nominated shows might not change your stance, it will definitely give you a sense of the competition (and an excuse to trash talk at the September 23 viewing party).

As television junkies have come to expect, HBO is once again the academy's darling. However, it earned comparatively few nominations, 81 in total, its fewest nods since 1999. Last year, HBO received 104 nominations, more than double the next-leading network, CBS. Still, with newcomers Girls and Veep and veteran programs like Curb Your Enthusiasm, Game of Thrones and Boardwalk Empire all in the running for top prizes, HBO is very likely to end the night on top.

Hedging any bets about awards night? Which nominated shows are moving to the top of your queue? Let us know in the comments.

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